If you are a coach, manager or student participating in any sporting code, please read the Sports policy below:

POLICY: SPORTS WRITER: ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL / DIRECTOR OF SPORT Sept 2012

RATIONALE:

Students who play sport benefit physically, socially and emotionally. The benefits carry into adulthood and cross to other areas of life.

Sport is a means of keeping the body healthy and fit. Education teaches people the need and value of recreational activities. The essence of recreation is that it refreshes both mind and body and therefore is a vital component of the 21st Century curriculum.

AIMS:

To encourage and maximise the opportunities for students to be involved in sport
To provide a wide range of sporting opportunities for students
To provide a safe and positive sporting environment
To encourage each student to develop his/her sporting interests, enjoyment in participation and skills level
To encourage coaches and managers to respond to the diverse needs and skills of their team members
To encourage the development of a positive self image of players ( http://www.sparc.org.nz )
To promote the attitude in players of how to win with dignity and lose with grace ( http://www.sparc.org.nz )
To develop a culture that sport should be a positive experience for everyone and that sport is about participation and enjoyment and not winning at all costs
To develop a sense of appreciation for the values of teamwork, leadership, cooperation and exercise that participation in sport provides. ( The Importance of Sports for Children )
Northcote College promotes sport as a means of developing physical competence and confidence in students, along with qualities such as loyalty, dignity, integrity, team spirit and diligence. Northcote College expects coaches and parent supporters to exemplify this policy. The College does not accept that the long term confidence and skill of some team members may be sacrificed to satisfy the short term desire to win.

GUIDELINES:

The School

The school will endeavour to find an opportunity at an appropriate level for any student who shows an interest in sport
The school will endeavour to provide training and support to coaches and managers.
The school will provide a safe and positive sporting environment.
The school will encourage higher level representation by nominating students for regional and national representative teams.
The school will assist high achievers in sport through the Sports Elite Programme.
The school will recognise and celebrate student success at all levels.
The school will be responsible for setting team fees and to recover reasonable and legitimate fees and this process will be transparent.
 Students

All students who sign up for a school team will be expected to commit to playing and training schedules.
All students in school teams will commit to participating in sport according to principles of fair play (source http://www.collegesport.co.nz, http://www.sparc.org.nz )
All students who play sport are representing the school and are expected to follow school rules and wear correct sports uniform
 Coaches and Managers

All coaches and managers of school teams will commit to training and playing schedules of their team.
Coaches and managers are required to communicate team values and requirements and be transparent about team decisions
All coaches and managers of school teams will manage their teams and conduct themselves according to the principles of fair play (source http://www.collegesport.co.nz, http://www.sparc.org.nz )
Coaches will allocate fair playing time to all team members. It is recognised this may vary from time to time depending on a players commitment and skill level, and the needs of the team.
 Parents/Caregivers and the school Community

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to support students participating in school sport, ensuring they meet the training and playing schedules of the team and that fees are paid in a timely manner.
Parent/caregivers are encouraged to support school sport by volunteering to be coaches and managers.
Parent/caregivers are and members of the school community are expected to abide by the principles of fair play (source http://www.collegesport.co.nz, http://www.sparc.org.nz )